as in stubborn
not willing to do what someone wants or asks for; not cooperative
uncooperative children an uncooperative witness
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of uncooperative
The president recently threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on the EU, arguing the Europeans have been uncooperative and that negotiations haven’t gone far enough.
—
Laura Kelly, The Hill, 5 June 2025
Police said the man was uncooperative and would not say who shot him or why.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 3 June 2025
If the driver is uncooperative or flees the scene, let the police handle it.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Prosecutors said Brown suffered a minor cut to her forehead while attempting to handcuff an uncooperative suspect in March 2022.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Laura Kelly, The Hill, 5 June 2025
Police said the man was uncooperative and would not say who shot him or why.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 3 June 2025
If the driver is uncooperative or flees the scene, let the police handle it.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Prosecutors said Brown suffered a minor cut to her forehead while attempting to handcuff an uncooperative suspect in March 2022.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncooperative
Adjective
-
One of the people that is most stubborn in their support of these spendy projects is Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
For indoor brick, keep it simple by trying a slightly damp brush to sweep away stubborn dirt.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Court records show Rahman pleaded guilty Jan. 17 to two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified national defense information.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
Alsup ordered a trial in December to determine damages, which can reach up to $150,000 per case of willful copyright infringement.—
Lauren Harvey,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
On Monday, asked about the poll proposal at an unrelated event, Adams was defiant.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
-
Trump's defiant response in Butler, Penn., may have fueled his big Election Day gains among male voters.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
These arachnids suck juices from the tomato plants and seemingly all of a sudden build large uncontrollable populations.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
-
Despite months of meticulous planning, there will always be uncontrollable variables that require monitoring..—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
This version of it will be complex, with significant power wielded by the United States and China but with major roles for other players, including an increasingly autonomous Europe, a recalcitrant Russia, and an ever more powerful India.—
REBECCA LISSNER,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
-
Pulled along by Valérie like a recalcitrant puppy, Richard sets off on a quest to find the missing man, who may have ties to the Sicilian Mafia.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncooperative. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share